Hydrostatic transmission
A hydrostatic transmission includes a pump running surface and a motor running surface connected by internal porting formed in a housing member. A valve is disposed in the housing and connects a sump formed by the housing and the internal porting. A trunnion includes a first arm engaged to a swash plate to rotate the swash plate to vary the output of the pump, and a second arm which rotates with the first arm, the second arm having an operative end that is capable of opening the valve to permit a hydraulic connection between the internal porting and the sump through the valve bore when the trunnion is rotated to a predetermined position.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/960,567, filed on Aug. 6, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/679,909 filed on Aug. 6, 2012. Both applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis application relates to hydraulic drive mechanisms and hydrostatic transmissions generally and, in particular, to transmissions intended for use in driving a vehicle or other powered machine or apparatus, such as a walk-behind lawn mower.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn improved hydrostatic transmission is disclosed herein, as described in more detail below. The transmission can be mounted on a vehicle or other powered machine or apparatus.
A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties and relationships of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which set forth illustrative embodiments that are indicative of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.
The description that follows describes, illustrates and exemplifies one or more embodiments of the present invention in accordance with its principles. This description is not provided to limit the invention to the embodiment(s) described herein, but rather to explain and teach the principles of the invention in order to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to understand these principles and, with that understanding, be able to apply them to practice not only the embodiment(s) described herein, but also any other embodiment that may come to mind in accordance with these principles. The scope of the present invention is intended to cover all such embodiments that may fall within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
It should be noted that in the description and drawings, like or substantially similar elements may be labeled with the same reference numerals. However, sometimes these elements may be labeled with differing numbers or serial numbers in cases where such labeling facilitates a more clear description. Additionally, the drawings set forth herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated to more clearly depict certain features. As stated above, the present specification is intended to be taken as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the present invention as taught herein and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. It will be further understood that for clarity in certain cross-sectional views, certain elements are not shown in cross-section, as doing so would not assist in the understanding of the invention.
As illustrated in
As illustrated, transmission 10 is a sealed unit having a housing assembly 13 enclosing an internal volume containing pump assembly 20 and motor assembly 50. Housing assembly 13 includes a main housing 14, a pump cover 16, and a motor cover 18 acting as first, second and third housing components. Pump cover 16 is secured to a first flange surface 14a (shown in
Output shaft 60 is rotatably supported by motor cover 18 and main housing 14. Output shaft 60 is retained axially by pins 53 that are inserted in through-holes 60a formed in output shaft 60. Pins 53 are positioned in slot 51a formed in inner rotor 51 so that inner rotor 51 and output shaft 60 rotate together. A first output shaft seal 61 is provided in main housing 14 and a second output shaft seal 62 is provided in motor cover 18. As shown in
Main housing 14 also provides a pump running surface 14c for pump assembly 20 and a motor running surface 14d for motor assembly 50, with the pump running surface 14c oriented generally perpendicular to the motor running surface 14d. Hydraulic fluid passages 14g, 14h formed in main housing 14 permit fluid communication between the arcuate ports 14e, 14f formed on pump running surface 14c and corresponding ports (not shown) formed on motor running surface 14d, permitting the discharge of hydraulic fluid from pump assembly 20 to drive motor assembly 50 and its output shaft 60 in a known manner. Main housing 14 thereby eliminates the need for a separate center section containing such porting. It will be understood that the pump running surfaces depicted herein are shown without any additional valve plate between the pump and the running surface.
As shown in
The volume and direction of hydraulic fluid flow from pump assembly 20 is controlled by rotating control arm 40. A plurality of pistons 21 axially disposed in pump cylinder block 20a are in continuous contact with a thrust bearing 23 retained in swash plate 24. When an operator rotates control arm 40 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction by means of controls and linkages (not shown), swash plate 24 is moved in an arc due to its engagement with first arm 39a. Movement of swash plate 24 changes the contact angle between the pistons 21 of pump cylinder block 20a and thrust bearing 23, thereby providing variable displacement hydraulic output to rotate motor assembly 50 at various speeds. As illustrated, neutral or zero displacement occurs when first arm 39a is generally parallel to input shaft 22, placing thrust bearing 23 in an orientation generally perpendicular to the axial direction of pistons 21. A swash plate and trunnion arm as shown herein is described in greater detail in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,534,060, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. It should be understood that in the neutral position, subject to machining tolerances, second arm 39b does not crack bypass valve 86.
During a first or “forward” mode of operation (presuming input shaft 22 is driven in a clockwise rotational direction), when trunnion arm 39 is rotated from the neutral position in a first direction (counterclockwise for the embodiment shown in
As shown in
During a second or “bypass” mode of operation, trunnion arm 39 is rotated from the neutral position in a second, opposite direction (clockwise in
Referring to
As shown in
As illustrated, transmission 110 is a sealed unit having a housing assembly 113 enclosing an internal volume containing pump assembly 120 and motor assembly 155. Housing assembly 113 includes a main housing 114, a pump cover 116, and a motor cover 118. Pump cover 116 is secured to a first flange surface 114a (shown in
Output shaft 160 is rotatably supported by motor cover 118 and main housing 114. A first output shaft seal 161 is provided in main housing 114 and a second output shaft seal 162 is provided in motor cover 118. As shown in
Similar to the main housing 14 of the previous embodiment, main housing 114 provides a pump running surface 114c for pump assembly 120 and a motor running surface 114d for motor assembly 155, with the pump running surface 114c oriented generally perpendicular to the motor running surface 114d. Hydraulic fluid passages 114g, 114h formed in main housing 114 permit fluid communication between the arcuate ports 114e, 114f formed on pump running surface 114c and corresponding ports (not shown) formed on motor running surface 114d, permitting the discharge of hydraulic fluid from pump assembly 120 to drive motor assembly 155 and its output shaft 160 in a known manner. Main housing 114 thereby eliminates the need for a separate center section containing such porting. A drain passage 114p formed in main housing 114 allows excess hydraulic fluid in motor chamber 108 to drain into pump chamber 106.
As shown in
Referring primarily to
When an operator rotates control arm 140 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction by means of controls and linkages (not shown), swash plate 124 is moved in an arc due to its engagement with arm 139a. Movement of swash plate 124 changes the contact angle between the pump pistons 121 of pump cylinder block 120a and pump thrust bearing 123, thereby providing variable displacement hydraulic output to rotate motor assembly 155 at various speeds. As illustrated, neutral or zero displacement occurs when arm 139a is generally parallel to input shaft 122, placing pump thrust bearing 123 in an orientation generally perpendicular to the axial direction of pump pistons 121. It is to be understood that bypass actuation arm 140a does not affect rotation of bypass cam 142, and hence bypass, at neutral.
During a first or “forward” mode of operation, when trunnion arm 139 is rotated from the neutral position in a first direction (clockwise for the embodiment shown in
As shown in
During a second or “bypass” mode of operation, trunnion arm 139 is rotated from the neutral position in a second, opposite direction (counterclockwise in
As in the first embodiment, a fluid expansion bladder assembly 170 is provided to relieve case pressure from transmission 110 and prevent leakage of hydraulic fluid around various seals of transmission 110 as the hydraulic fluid temperature rises and the fluid expands during operation of transmission 110. As shown in
Transmission 210 generally includes a housing assembly 213, housing a pump assembly 220 coupled to and hydraulically driving a motor assembly 255. As depicted, pump assembly 220 is a variable displacement axial piston pump driven by an input shaft 222, and motor assembly 255 is an axial piston motor having a motor cylinder block 255a and motor pistons 256 which bear against motor thrust bearing 257. The designs of the axial piston pump and motor are well-known in the art and will not be described in detail herein. An output shaft 260 of motor assembly 255 is driven by motor cylinder block 255a and extends from both ends of housing assembly 213. The axis of rotation of output shaft 260 is generally perpendicular to the axis of input shaft 222, but offset therefrom.
As shown in
As illustrated, transmission 210 is a sealed unit having a housing assembly 213 enclosing an internal volume containing pump assembly 220 and motor assembly 255. Housing assembly 213 includes a main housing 214, a pump cover 216, and a motor cover 218. Pump cover 216 is secured to a first flange surface 214a (shown in
Output shaft 260 is rotatably supported by motor cover 218 and main housing 214. A first output shaft seal 261 is provided in main housing 214 and a second output shaft seal 262 is provided in motor cover 218. As shown in
Main housing 214 also provides a pump running surface 214c having arcuate ports 214e and 214f for pump assembly 220 and a motor running surface 214d having arcuate ports 214r and 214s for motor assembly 255, with the pump running surface 214c oriented generally perpendicular to the motor running surface 214d. Main housing 214 thereby eliminates the need for a separate center section.
Referring primarily to
Referring primarily to
During a first or “forward” mode of operation, when trunnion arm 239 is rotated from a neutral position in a first direction (counterclockwise for the embodiment shown in
The porting and operations of this third embodiment vary from those of the previously described transmissions 10, 110. In the first mode of operation, hydraulic fluid flows between fluid port 214e formed in pump running surface 214c and fluid port 214s formed in motor running surface 214d by way of fluid passage 214g formed in housing 214 to provide fluid communication between pump assembly 220 and motor assembly 255 in an open hydraulic circuit. This is an open hydraulic circuit in that hydraulic fluid discharged from motor pistons 256 will flow through fluid passage 214k to pump chamber 206 instead of being ported directly back to the pump assembly 220. Drain passage 214p further allows excess hydraulic fluid in motor chamber 208 to drain into pump chamber 206. Pump assembly 220 draws hydraulic fluid directly from pump chamber 206 via pump inlet passage 214q and arcuate port 214f. This open hydraulic circuit prevents reverse operation of transmission 210.
During a second or “bypass” mode of operation, trunnion arm 239 is rotated from the neutral position in a second, opposite direction (clockwise in
A return-to-bypass spring 241 is disposed about trunnion arm 239 and an opening 214u on a first side of main housing 214 to bias trunnion arm 239 to a bypass position. One end of return-to-bypass spring 241 bears against projection 240b of control arm 240 and the other end extends into and bears upon pocket 214t of main housing 214, thus biasing trunnion arm 239 to the second or bypass mode of operation.
As in the first and second embodiments, a fluid expansion bladder assembly 270 is provided to relieve case pressure from transmission 210 and prevent pressurization of hydraulic fluid adjacent various seals of transmission 210 as the fluid temperature rises and the fluid expands during operation of transmission 210. As shown in
As shown in
While one or more specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any equivalent thereof.
Claims
1. A hydraulic drive mechanism, comprising:
- a housing comprising a first housing element joined to a second housing element to form a pump chamber, wherein the first housing element comprises: a first surface having a pump running surface formed thereon; a second surface having a motor running surface formed thereon; and hydraulic porting formed in the first housing element, whereby the pump running surface is hydraulically connected to the motor running surface through the hydraulic porting;
- a pump disposed on the pump running surface and a motor comprising a motor body disposed on the motor running surface, wherein both the pump and the motor are hydraulically connected to the hydraulic porting;
- a single output shaft engaged to and directly driven by the motor body, the single output shaft comprising a first end extending through a first shaft seal and out a first side of the housing, and a second end; and
- a first pressure relief passage formed in the housing and connecting the pump chamber to a portion of the housing adjacent to the first shaft seal.
2. The hydraulic drive mechanism of claim 1, wherein the second end of the single output shaft extends through a second shaft seal and out a second side of the housing, opposite to the first side, and the hydraulic drive mechanism further comprises a second pressure relief passage formed in the housing and connecting the pump chamber to a second portion of the housing adjacent to the second shaft seal.
3. The hydraulic drive mechanism of claim 2, wherein the first pressure relief passage and the second pressure relief passage are formed in the first housing element.
4. The hydraulic drive mechanism of claim 3, wherein the housing further comprises a motor cover engaged to the first housing element.
5. The hydraulic drive mechanism of claim 4, further comprising a third pressure relief passage formed in the motor cover and between the second pressure relief passage and the second portion of the housing adjacent to the second shaft seal.
6. The hydraulic drive mechanism of claim 5, further comprising a valve disposed in a valve bore, and wherein the first housing element further comprises a third surface separate from the first surface and the second surface, wherein the valve bore is formed in the third surface and has a first bore end open to the pump chamber and a second bore end open to the hydraulic porting.
7. The hydraulic drive mechanism of claim 6, further comprising a swash plate engaged to the pump, and a trunnion comprising a first arm engaged to the swash plate to rotate the swash plate to vary the output of the pump, and a second arm which rotates with the first arm, the second arm having an operative end that is capable of engaging the valve, whereby the operative end of the second arm opens the valve to permit a hydraulic connection between the porting and the pump chamber through the valve bore when the trunnion is rotated to a predetermined position, wherein the first arm and the second arm are disposed entirely within the pump chamber.
8. The hydraulic drive mechanism of claim 7, further comprising an external control arm disposed outside the housing and engaged to the trunnion, wherein the trunnion further comprises a rotatable shaft having a distal end disposed in the pump chamber and engaged to both the first arm and the second arm, and a proximal end disposed outside the housing and engaged to the external control arm.
9. A hydraulic drive mechanism, comprising:
- a housing comprising a cover joined to a main housing to form a pump chamber;
- a pump running surface formed on the main housing and a motor running surface formed on the main housing, where the pump running surface is hydraulically connected to the motor running surface through hydraulic porting formed in the main housing;
- a valve bore formed in a surface of the housing separate from the pump running surface and the motor running surface, the valve bore having a first bore end open to the pump chamber and a second bore end open to the hydraulic porting,
- a valve disposed in the valve bore;
- a pump disposed on the pump running surface and a motor comprising a motor cylinder block disposed on the motor running surface, wherein both the pump and the motor are hydraulically connected to the porting;
- a single output shaft engaged to and driven by the motor cylinder block, the single output shaft comprising a first end extending through a first shaft seal and out a first side of the housing and a second end; and
- a swash plate engaged to the pump, and a trunnion comprising a first arm engaged to the swash plate to rotate the swash plate to vary the output of the pump, and a second arm which rotates with the first arm, the second arm having an operative end that is capable of engaging the valve, whereby the operative end of the second arm opens the valve to permit a hydraulic connection between the porting and the pump chamber through the valve bore when the trunnion is rotated to a predetermined position, wherein the second arm is disposed entirely within the pump chamber.
10. The hydraulic drive mechanism of claim 9, further comprising a first pressure relief passage formed in the housing and connecting the pump chamber to a portion of the housing adjacent to the first shaft seal.
11. The hydraulic drive mechanism of claim 9, wherein the second end of the single output shaft extends through a second shaft seal and out a second side of the housing, opposite to the first side.
12. The hydraulic drive mechanism of claim 11, further comprising a first pressure relief passage formed in the housing and connecting the pump chamber to a portion of the housing adjacent to the first shaft seal and a second pressure relief passage formed in the housing and connecting the pump chamber to a second portion of the housing adjacent to the second shaft seal.
13. The hydraulic drive mechanism of claim 12, wherein the first pressure relief passage and the second pressure relief passage are formed in the main housing.
14. The hydraulic drive mechanism of claim 13 wherein the housing further comprises a motor cover engaged to the main housing.
15. The hydraulic drive mechanism of claim 14, wherein the housing further comprises a third pressure relief passage formed in the motor cover and between the second pressure relief passage and the second shaft seal.
16. The hydraulic drive mechanism of claim 9, wherein the first arm is also disposed entirely within the pump chamber.
17. A hydraulic drive mechanism, comprising:
- a housing comprising a first housing component joined to a second housing component to form a sump, the first housing component having a pump running surface, a motor running surface and internal porting formed inside the first housing component to join the pump running surface and the motor running surface;
- a valve disposed in a valve bore formed in the first housing component, the valve bore having a first end open to the sump on an internal surface of the first housing component and a second end open to the internal porting;
- a pump rotatably disposed on the pump running surface and a motor disposed on the motor running surface, wherein both the pump and the motor are hydraulically connected to the internal porting;
- an output shaft driven by the motor and a pump input shaft engaged to and driving the pump; and
- a swash plate disposed in the sump and engaged to the pump, and a trunnion comprising a first arm engaged to the swash plate to rotate the swash plate to vary the output of the pump, and a second arm which rotates with the first arm, the second arm having an operative end that is capable of engaging the valve, whereby the operative end of the second arm opens the valve to permit a hydraulic connection between the internal porting and the sump through the valve bore when the trunnion is rotated to a predetermined position, and the second arm is disposed entirely within the sump.
18. The hydraulic drive mechanism of claim 17, wherein the first arm is also disposed entirely within the sump.
19. The hydraulic drive mechanism of claim 18, wherein the trunnion further comprises a rotatable portion engaged to both the first arm and the second arm, wherein the rotatable portion extends out the housing and is engaged to an external control arm.
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Type: Grant
Filed: May 25, 2017
Date of Patent: Jul 16, 2019
Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership (Sullivan, IL)
Inventor: Thomas J. Langenfeld (Sullivan, IL)
Primary Examiner: F Daniel Lopez
Application Number: 15/605,402